When I think of creosote I think of a sticky gew but I've never actually seen it, I think anyways..... See, the junk I clean from the walls of my piping is more like soot to me. Messy, black powdery stuff about 1/4" thick and that's after a whole long cold winter in the north but I only burned about 3 1/2 cord last year. On my inside double wall pipes I take them apart and bring them outside and to really clean them well I use a pressure washer. It cleans the walls better than just a 6" pipe brush and and hose end sprayer. The way I figure it is since I cut the air supply there is going to be soot. That's the way it was when I ran boilers in schools. Not enough air meant more soot to clean from the tubes. T minus 5 weeks until heating season up here!
What does creosote look like?
- Thread starter WiscWoody
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NHcpa
Minister of Fire
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
BTW, your wood stacks are intense. I burn up to 6 cords per year but maybe a little less with pellet now. Still like wood, but nothing beats flipping a switch.
It can be tarry it can be hard and flaky the soot you are getting out has some creosote in it as well i have never heard of anyone cleaning their stove pipe with a pressure washer or even a hose not that it is a problem just different.
firefighterjake
Minister of Fire
What bholler said . . . creosote may be a sticky, tarry goo . . . or may be hard and crunchy and look like burned popcorn . . . or it can be smooth and glass-like. It may have a fine soot-like or sand like appearance.
Not that creosote is ever good . . . but better to have the fine soot like stuff. Sounds like you're burning well.
Not that creosote is ever good . . . but better to have the fine soot like stuff. Sounds like you're burning well.
What do you mean frum is letting you down? Creosote comes in many forms from liquid to hard glaze it is not always tarry at all actually that is not very common at all in a chimney any more. Believe me i clean hundreds of chimneys a year i have seen all types from covered in gooey stuff to the nice light brown powder. And it all contains creosote
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
I've cleaned my own chimney for 30+ years and you have cleaned hundreds a year no less... Question for the forum/you, how best do you rid creosote in your cleanings? I also note that the creosote build up is worse at the top...
Ram 1500 with an axe...
Minister of Fire
We'll let me ask, can a thin layer of fine powder cause a fire? [/quote
I would say it is possible but very unlikely
Best way varies allot depending upon lots of things such as the form of creosote the liner material the time of year ect. The most common case that is hard to clean is hard glaze in a clay lined chimney. In that case we use a rotary cleaner with chains in it to chip the glaze off. With tarry stuff you need to use either chemicals or heat to dry up the deposits so they can be brushed out. And yes creosote deposits will be heavier at the top due to the fact that the smoke is cooling and the creosote is condensing out of the smoke more.
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I would say it is possible but very unlikely
Best way varies allot depending upon lots of things such as the form of creosote the liner material the time of year ect. The most common case that is hard to clean is hard glaze in a clay lined chimney. In that case we use a rotary cleaner with chains in it to chip the glaze off. With tarry stuff you need to use either chemicals or heat to dry up the deposits so they can be brushed out. And yes creosote deposits will be heavier at the top due to the fact that the smoke is cooling and the creosote is condensing out of the smoke more.
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KindredSpiritzz
Minister of Fire
Depends on how thin. I had about 3/16 of an inch in mine last winter and it ended up catching fire. Burned out fast and cleaned the chimney real nice.
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
Thank you.
When you mention chemicals, is this the same you can add to your fire or up top when cleaning your chimney? I have clay tile.
We do recommend those if someone year after year continues to have major creosote buildup and either cant or wont fix the problem by changing burning practices. But what i was talking about was professional cleaning products that are sprayed on let to sit for a day or 2 and then brushed out. Honestly we have only used them a couple times. Usually the chains work or we will simply put a light in the bottom and the heat and airflow from that will dry it out enough in a couple weeks we can come back and clean it.
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
Each year I get 6 cords of seasoned and stack high and dry for 6 or so months. Not as dry as I want and it causes me to brush down the chimney mid through the season. This summer in addition to my 6 cord order, I borrowed a splitter and was able to get close to 3 cord of splits I have been accumulating because they were too big for the stove. So I really feel good about what I have for dry. This said, I may have to get a professional to clean with the techniques you describe. I have an accumulation of creosote, and the brush just won't do it.
TimfromMA
Minister of Fire
Do you have a moisture meter? How big do you split how do you stack and is the stack covered. I would guess your wood is not dry enough but you should get a meter and check it. Additives may help you but the real solution is to burn dryer wood.
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
Thank you for all the tips. I not only split my "Yule log" inventory, but prob close to 4 cords of this years delivery. I'll admit using a log splitter was fun for the first time, but it's a work out. I'm finding out that my price for cord wood hasn't gone up over the years but they are also not splitting to desired cuts. My brush can only do so much and although I'm satisfied in this years wood, my chimney needs a major cleaning. Thanks again!
Smaller splits will dry faster i stack single deep with small splits as loosly as possible and top cover i get below 20% on most wood in 8 or 9 months. But many here report needing much longer so get a meter and check it. And get a pro in to clean and check the flue. I would be willing to bet if it is a 30 year old clay lined chimney it is probably cracked and in need of a liner.
NHcpa
Minister of Fire
Well I've had some experience with chimney work...this was my 3 flue chimney last year. My Jotul is in a separate chimney.
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Like I said it's just on the black painted inside piping. I take it apart in two sections and bring it outside to clean it. The rest of the stainless class a stuff is enclosed in a chase and I can't get to the bottom cap so I brush it down from the top 43' above ground level and I vacuum out the soot from the inside of the house. It sucks!
I have a neighbor down the street that just scoffs when I ask him how his insert chimney looks. This coming season will be it's fourth with no cleaning whatsoever. I told him it should be done at least once a year. If his place goes up in flames, I did warn him. But I do know that he burns good dry wood so he has that going for him.
Got a little experience with the stuff myself. This the flue when I had my old insert. Glazed hard like a rock. The chimney fire to get it out was a sight to see.
Do not try that at home.
Do not try that at home.
brenndatomu
Minister of Fire
That's nice bb cracks and all. And wisc woddy some people don't need their flue cleaned every year 4 years is to long for sure unless they hardly use it but we have some customers with good wood good stoves and and insulated ss flue that only need it done every other year. The recommendation is 1/8" of buildup and some times we don't find that. If that is the case we don't clean it and tell them we will be back next year. But once a year is a good rule for most people some need it more as well.
He burns a lot of wood but it's good wood. About the same amount as I do, 3 1/2 to 4 cords a season. Maybe next year I'll offer to help him do it and maybe he will say ok. I know he won't hire someone to do it, as he only flushes the toilet once a week to save on his holding tank pumping! Lol!
Depending on the wood the stove and the chimney it is entirely possible to safely go 2 years on 3.5 to 4 cords a year But absolutely not 4 years. And when i say you can possibly g o2 years i am not telling anyone to go 2 years with out checking the stack you should always check it out at least once a year.
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